Daniel Alfredsson is getting accustomed to his new surroundings in Detroit, after 17 seasons in Ottawa.AP file photo

Almost two months after parting ways with the franchise he had spent 17 seasons with, reality sunk in for Daniel Alfredsson on Friday – he is a Detroit Red Wing now.

Alfredsson took part in his first informal practice with several of his new teammates Friday at Joe Louis Arena, as players prepare for the start of training camp in Traverse City on Sept. 12.

Alfredsson, wearing the winged-wheel jersey for the first time, wore a No. 11 practice jersey – the number formerly worn by Daniel Cleary. And he sat in Valtteri Filppula's former dressing room stall, next to his fellow Swede, Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg.

“It felt good to finally come here and skate,” Alfredsson told Art Regner of FoxSportsDetroit.com. “It’s been a few months since I signed, and the only thing that has happened is moving the family. We arrived yesterday, and coming here, skating with the guys, almost makes it feel that it’s real now. I’m excited to be here, and I’m really looking forward to this challenge and what I can do for the team. Hopefully, I can have a good year.”

The Red Wings signed Alfredsson, the 40-year-year future Hall-of-Fame right wing, to a one-year, $5.5 million contract on July 5. It includes an easily attainable bonus of $2 million for playing in 10 games. The bonus can be applied to next season's salary cap.

Alfredsson spoke often with Zetterberg when he was deciding on his future. Zetterberg remains stunned that Alfredsson is now his teammate.

“When Alfie called me up in the middle of the summer and asked how Detroit is, I was like, 'Why? Why is he wondering how Detroit is?' '' Zetterberg told FoxSportsDetroit.com. “He explained that he might be a Red Wing next year.

"I was really surprised and really happy, and a few days later, it was signed and done. Alfie is the last Swede in the league that I thought I would play with.''

The Red Wings haven't officially given Alfredsson No. 11. Cleary remains unsigned. The Red Wings have expressed interest in bringing Cleary back, but general manager Ken Holland said it can only happen if he's able to shed salary. And that has been difficult to do.

The Red Wings, if everyone is healthy, would be about $630,000 over the cap and two players (forwards) over the 23-man roster limit.